Core Knowledge Language Arts
Skills Strand Alignment
Based upon the guidance provided within the curriculum, the following activities would occur in any classroom utilizing
Core Knowledge. Please use the following chart to self-evaluate your progress with teaching CKLA. You may also use
the chart for professional visits to your peers to provide support and next steps for integrity and alignment to the
curriculum.
Area of
Observation
CKLA
Scheduling
CKLA Routine
Specific Practice
Scheduled Skills
Strand for at least
60 minutes of daily
instruction.
CKLA Reading
Procedures
Grouping
Differentiation
CKLA Visuals
Use of phoneme
posters, large cards
for chaining,
pocket chart,
chaining boards.
Tricky words are
imbedded in High
Frequency Word
Wall or on a
separate Tricky
Word Wall.
Use of Interactive
Writing, journals
and other writing
activities.
Chaining
Word Walls
Other literacy
writing
activities
Daily Skills
Instruction
Daily Skills
Instruction
Decodable
Vocabulary
Decodable
Readers
Demonstration
Description
Schedule allows for 60
minutes of continuous
instruction.
Routine per CKLA
guidelines is followed and
students are familiar with
the procedures listed for
daily reading instruction.
Students are given
opportunities to work
within whole group, small
group, instruction, as well
as time for independent
practice.
Visuals are posted and
referred to, whenever
appropriate, during
lessons.
Word walls are used
effectively.
Use of other literacy
activities is aligned in a way
consistent with CKLA.
Chaining procedures are
followed, substituting only
one sound/symbol at a
time.
Unusual decodable
Vocabulary is used as an
opportunity to expand
language development.
Demonstration stories/big
books are used to model
fluent oral reading.
Notes
Area of
Specific Practice
Observation
Decodable
Differentiation
Readers
Comprehension Clarification
Questions
Writing
Feedback
Writing
CKLA Writing
Process
Other
Terminology
Assessment
Formative
Assessment
Assessment
Differentiation
Description
Whole / small grouping and
partner reading is utilized.
Comprehension
checks/vocabulary
clarification is occurring.
Corrective feedback is
provided about
handwriting and spelling.
Teacher uses Plan-DraftEdit to teach writing
genres, as well as teaching
grammar lessons and
concepts.
Consistent use and
understanding of
terminology in instruction
i.e. vowels, consonants,
digraphs, schwa
Teacher uses formative
assessments built into
program.
Differentiation occurs daily
based upon formative
assessment data (list
activities).
Notes